Triterpenoid derivatives

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to the use of a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, crystal form, complex, hydrate, or hydrolysable ester thereof, in the preparation of a medicament for treating a patient suffering from leukaemia, cancer or other proliferative disorder. A further embodiment relates to the use a compound of formula (I) in an assay for detecting the phosphorylation state of cellular substrates. The present invention also relates to novel compounds of formula (I), and the chemical synthesis thereof.

[0001] The present invention relates to the therapeutic use and the biological activity of triterpenoid derivatives. The invention further relates to novel triterpenoid derivatives.

[0002] To date, the prior art has primarily focussed on compounds that are capable of regulating the cell cycle by virtue of inhibiting cyclin dependent kinases (CDKs). Examples of such compounds include butyrolactone I, flavopiridol, bohemin, olomoucine, roscovitine, purvanalol and indarubicine.

[0003] There is considerable support in the literature for the hypothesis that CDKs and their regulatory proteins play a significant role in the development of human tumours. Thus, in many tumours a temporal abnormal expression or activity of CDKs has been observed, together with a major deregulation of protein inhibitors (mutations, deletions). This results in the activation of CDKs and consequently in defective regulation of the G1/S transition. Unlike normal cells, tumour cells do not arrest in G1, and since they become independent of growth factors, they pass the G1 restriction point and enter the S phase very rapidly.

[0004] In contrast to the prior art, the present invention relates to compounds which are anti-proliferative, but which are believed to operate via a mechanism other than CDK inhibition.

[0005] The G₁/S transition of the mammalian cell cycle is tightly regulated by the retinoblastoma protein (pRb). Retinoblastoma gene mutations or deletions predispose individuals to familiar retinoblastoma and other types of cancers. The pRb protein is a docking protein, which in hypophosphorylated form has the capacity to bind and thus to inactivate S-phase transcription factors such as DP-1 and E2F. However, following phosphorylation by G1/S cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) (CDK4/cyclin D1-D3, CDK6/cyclin D1-D3, CDK2/cyclin A), hyperphosphorylated pRb releases the transcription factors and S phase is initiated. Within the S phase, the pRb protein phosphorylation is maintained by the activity of CDK2/cyclin E complexes. Thus, hyperphosphorylation of the pRb protein plays a key role in the molecular pathology of cancer cells with altered CDK activity.

[0006] The present invention relates to the use of triterpenoid compounds derived from the natural products betulin and betulinic acid (BA) as shown in formula (A). The compounds of the present invention are referred to hereinafter as betulinines.

[0007] With regard to their biological and therapeutic activity, the compounds disclosed herein are believed to be of specific benefit in the treatment of proliferative diseases such as cancers and leukaemias.

[0008] Several of the compounds suitable for use in the present invention are already known in the art, for example those disclosed in Ber. Dtsch. Chem. Ges. 55, 2332 (1922), Schulze H. et al; Acta Chem. Scand., B 29, 139 (1975), Suokas E. et al; Collect. Czech Chem. Commun. 56, 2936 (1991), Sejbal J. et al; Collect. Czech. Chem. Commun. 64, 329 (1999), Klinotová E. et al; Indian. J. Chem., Sect. B 34, 624 (1995), Dinda B. et al. However, these disclosures do not include any indication as to possible biological activity of such compounds.

[0009] A first aspect of the present invention relates to the use of a compound of formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in therapy, in therapy,

[0010] wherein:

[0011] X¹ is C═O, C═NOR^(1a), CHOR^(1a), CHOCOR^(1a), CHOC(O)OR¹¹, CHOC(O)OR^(1a), CHOC(O)OR¹², or CHOCOY-Hal

[0012] X⁴ is CH₂, CH-Hal, C═O, CHOR^(1b), CHOCOR^(1b), CHOC(O)OR¹¹

[0013] X⁵ is CH₂, CH-Hal, C═O, CHOR^(1b), CHOCOR^(1b), CHOC(O)OR¹¹

[0014] R¹⁻⁵ are H or lower alkyl

[0015] R⁷ is COOR^(1c), COOR¹², COHal, C(O)OC(O)R^(1c), COOYOCOR^(1c), CH₂OR^(1c), CH₂OCOR^(1c), CH₂OC(O)OR¹¹

[0016] R⁹ is R^(1d), OR^(1d), CH₂-Hal, CH₂OR^(1d), CH₂OC(O)OR¹¹, ═CHR^(1d)

[0017] R¹⁰ is R^(1e), CH═NOR^(1e), CN, COOR^(1e), COR^(1e), CH₂-Hal, CH₂OR^(1e), CH₂OCOR^(1e), CH₂OC(O)OR¹¹, CH₂OSO₂CH₃, CH₂OSO₂C₆H₄CH₃

[0018] R¹¹ is an OH-substituted alkyl group, an ether group or a cyclic ether,

[0019] R¹² is lower alkyl substituted by Hal

[0020] “b” is a double bond or a single bond

[0021] and wherein Y═(CH₂)n

[0022] n=0 to 5

[0023] R^(1a-1e) are the same or different groups of R¹

[0024] Hal is Cl, Br, I, F;

[0025] with the proviso that said compound is other than

[0026] 3β-3-hydroxylup-20(29)-en-28-oic acid;

[0027] 3β-lup-20(29)-ene-3,28-diol;

[0028] 3β-lup-20(29)-ene3,28-diol diacetate;

[0029] 3β-3-(acetyloxy)lup-20(29)-en-28-oic acid;

[0030] 3β-3-(1-oxobutoxy)lup-20(29)-en-28-oic acid;

[0031] 3β-lup-20(29)-ene-3,28-diol 3-acetate;

[0032] 3β-lup-20(29)-ene-3,28-diol 28-acetate;

[0033] 3β-3-hydroxylup-20(29)-en-28-oic acid methyl ester;

[0034] 3β-3-(acetyloxy)lup-20(29)-en-28-oic acid methyl ester;

[0035] 3β-3-hydroxylup-20(29)-en-28-oic acid ethyl ester;

[0036] 3β-3-hydroxylup-20(29)-en-28-oic acid butyl ester;

[0037] 3β-lupane-3,28-diol;

[0038] 3β-3-hydroxylupan-28-oic acid;

[0039] 3β-3-hydroxylupan-28-oic acid methyl ester;

[0040] 3β-3-(acetyloxy)lupan-28-oic acid methyl ester,

[0041] 3β-3-(acetyloxy)lupan-28-oic acid;

[0042] 3β-lupane-3,28-diol diacetate;

[0043] 3β-lupane-3,28-diol dibutanoate;

[0044] 3β-3-(3-methyl-1-oxobutoxy)lupan-28-oic acid;

[0045] 3β-3-(2,2-dimethyl-1-oxopropoxy)lupan-28-oic acid;

[0046] 3β-3,28-dimethoxylup-20(29)-ene;

[0047] 3β-3,28-dimethoxylupane;

[0048] 3β-28-methoxylupan-3-ol;

[0049] 3β-3-methoxylup-20(29)en-28-oic acid;

[0050] 3β-3-methoxylup-20(29)-en-28-oic acid methyl ester;

[0051] 3α-3-methoxylup-20(29)-en-28-oic acid; or

[0052] 3α-3-methoxylup-20(29)-en-28-oic acid methyl ester.

[0053] In a preferred aspect, the invention relates to the use of a compound of formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for treating a patient suffering from leukaemia, cancer or other proliferative disorder.

[0054] A second aspect of the present invention relates to novel betulinines of structural formula Ia, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof,

[0055] wherein:

[0056] X¹ is CHOC(O)OR¹¹, CHOC(O)OR^(1a), CHOC(O)OR¹², or CHOCOY-Hal

[0057] X⁴ is CH₂, CH-Hal, C═O, CHOR^(1b), CHOCOR^(1b), CHOC(O)OR¹¹

[0058] X⁵ is CH₂, CH-Hal, C═O, CHOR^(1b), CHOCOR^(1b), CHOC(O)OR¹¹

[0059] R¹⁻⁵ are H or lower alkyl

[0060] R⁷ is COHal, C(O)OC(O)R^(1c), COOYOCOR^(1c), CH₂OC(O)OR¹¹

[0061] R⁹ is R^(1d), OR^(1d), CH₂-Hal, CH₂OR^(1d), CH₂OC(O)OR¹¹, ═CHR^(1d)

[0062] R¹⁰ is R^(1c), CH═NOR^(1e), CN, COOR^(1e), COR^(1e), CH₂-Hal, CH₂OR^(1e), CH₂OCOR^(1e), CH₂OC(O)OR¹¹, CH₂OSO₂CH₃, CH₂OSO₂C₆H₄CH₃

[0063] R¹¹ is an OH-substituted alkyl group, an ether group or a cyclic ether;

[0064] R¹² is lower alkyl substitued by Hal

[0065] “b” is a double bond or a single bond

[0066] and wherein Y═(CH₂)n

[0067] n=0 to 5

[0068] R^(1a-1e) are the same or different groups of R¹

[0069] Hal is Cl, Br, I, F.

[0070] As used herein, the term lower alkyl means a linear or branched chain alkyl group containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, including methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, tertiary butyl.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0071] Within the options provided for the groups X¹, X⁴, X⁵ and R¹⁻⁵, R⁷, R⁹⁻¹⁰ of formula I, the following options are preferred;

[0072] X¹ is C═O, CHOR^(1a), CHOCOR^(1a), CHOCOY-Hal, CHOCOOR¹¹;

[0073] X⁴ is C═O, CH₂;

[0074] X⁵ is C═O, CH₂, CHOCOR^(1b);

[0075] R⁷ is COOR^(1c), CH₂OR^(1c), CH₂OCOR^(1c), COOYOCOR^(1c), CH₂OSO₂C₆H₄CH₃, COHal, COOCOR^(1c), CH₂OCOOR¹¹;

[0076] R⁹ is R^(1d), ═CHR^(1d), CH₂OR^(1d), OR^(1d);

[0077] R¹⁰ is R^(1e), CN, COOR^(1e), CH₂OR^(1e), COR^(1e).

[0078] Preferably, R¹¹ is a diol, triol or polyol.

[0079] Even more preferably, R¹, R³⁻⁵ are methyl, R² is H or methyl, and R¹ is defined as below for the relevant group R^(1a-e);

[0080] when X¹ is:

[0081] —CHOR^(1a), R^(1a) is H;

[0082] —CHCOY-Hal, Y is CH₂ and Hal is Cl;

[0083] —CHOCOR^(1a), R^(1a) is methyl;

[0084] —CHOCOOR¹¹, R¹¹ is glyceryl, 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl or pentaerythrityl;

[0085] when X⁵ is CHOCOR^(1b), R^(1b) is methyl;

[0086] when R⁷ is:

[0087] —COOR^(1c), R^(1c) is H or methyl;

[0088] —COOYOCOR^(1c), Y is CH₂ and R^(1c) is H;

[0089] —CH₂OR^(1c), R^(1c) is H;

[0090] —CH₂OCOR^(1c), R^(1c) is methyl;

[0091] —COOCOR^(1c), R^(1c) is methyl or butyl;

[0092] —COHal, Hal is Cl;

[0093] —CH₂OCOOR¹¹, R¹¹ is glyceryl, 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl or pentaerythrityl;

[0094] when R⁹ is ═CHR^(1d), CH₂OR^(1d) or OR^(1d), R^(1d) is H, and when R⁹ is R^(1d), R^(1d) is methyl;

[0095] when R¹⁰ is R^(1e), R^(1e) is methyl, and when R¹⁰ is COOR^(1e), COR^(1e) or CH₂OR^(1e), R^(1e) is H.

[0096] In a more preferred embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the compounds of use are selected from those shown in Table 1 below. TABLE 1 No. X¹ X⁴ X⁵ b R¹⁻⁵ R⁷ R⁹ R¹⁰ II.1 CHOAc C═O CH₂ double Me COOH Me Me II.2 CHOAc C═O C═O double Me CH₂OAc Me Me II.3 CHOAc C═O CH₂ double Me CH₂OAc Me Me II.4 CHOAc C═O C═O double Me COOMe Me Me II.5 CHOCOCH₂Cl C═O CH₂ double Me CH₂OAc Me Me II.6 CHOCOCH₂Cl C═O C═O double Me CH₂OAc Me Me II.7 CHOH C═O C═O double Me CH₂OAc Me Me II.8 CHOH C═O C═O double Me CH₂OH Me Me II.9 CHOAc C═O CH₂ double Me COOCH₂O—COBu^(t) Me Me II.10 CHOAc C═O CH₂ double Me COOMe Me Me II.11 CHOAc C═O C═O double Me COOCH₂OCOBu^(t) Me Me II.12 CHOAc CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOH CH₂ CN II.13 CHOAc CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOH CH₂ COOH II.14 CHOH CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOH CH₂ COH II.15 CHOAc CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOH CH₂ CH₂OH II.16 CHOAc C═O CHOAc double Me CH₂OAc Me Me II.17 C═O CH₂ CH₂ single Me, CH₂OAc Me Me (R²:H) II.18 CHOAc CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOH CH₂ COH II.19 CHOH CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOH (20-R)—OH Me II.20 CHOH CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOH (20-S)—OH Me II.21 CHOH CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOH (20-R)—CH₂OH Me II.22 CHOH CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOH (20-S)—CH₂OH Me II.23 CHOAc C═O C═O double Me COOCH₂OCOMe Me Me II.24 CHOH CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOCH₂OCOBu^(t) CH₂ COH II.25 CHOH CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOCH₂OCOMe CH₂ COH II.26 CHOH C═O C═O double Me COOMe Me Me II.27 CHOH C═O CH₂ double Me COOCH₂OCOBu^(t) Me Me II.28 CHOH C═O CH₂ double Me COOH Me Me II.29 CHOH C═O CH₂ double Me CH₂OH Me Me II.30 CHOH C═O CH₂ double Me CH₂OAc Me Me II.31 CHOH C═O CH₂ double Me COOMe Me Me II.32 CHOH C═O CH₂ double Me COOCH₂OCOMe Me Me II.33 CHOAc C═O CH₂ double Me CH₂OH Me Me II.34 A C═O CH₂ double Me COOMe Me Me II.35 B C═O CH₂ double Me COOMe Me Me II.36 CHOAc C═O C═O double Me CH₂OH Me Me II.37 CHOH C═O C═O double Me COOCH₂OCOMe Me Me II.38 CHOH C═O C═O double Me COOCH₂OCOBu^(t) Me Me II.39 A C═O C═O double Me COOMe Me Me II.40 B C═O C═O double Me COOMe Me Me II.41 A C═O CH₂ double Me COOH Me Me II.42 B C═O CH₂ double Me COOH Me Me II.43 A CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOH CH₂ Me II.44 B CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOH CH₂ Me II.45 A CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOMe CH₂ Me II.46 B CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOMe CH₂ II.47 A CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOCH₂OCOMe CH₂ Me II.48 B CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOCH₂OCOMe CH₂ Me II.49 CHOAc CH₂ CH₂ single Me CH₂OTs CH₂ Me II.50 A CH₂ CH₂ single Me HA CH₂ Me II.51 B CH₂ CH₂ single Me HB CH₂ Me II.52 CHOAc CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOCOMe CH₂ COH II.53 CHOAc CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOCOMe CH₂ Me II.54 CHOAc C═O CH₂ double Me COF Me Me II.55 CHOAc CH₂ CH₂ single Me COF CH₂ Me II.56 CHOAc CH₂ CH₂ single Me COF CH₂ COH II.57 C═O CH₂ CH₂ single Me COF CH₂ Me II.58 CHOAc CH₂ CH₂ single Me COF Me Me

[0097] In a particularly preferred embodiment, said compound is selected from the following:

[0098] In respect of the second aspect of the invention, the preferred embodiments regarding the compounds are identical to those given above for the first aspect with application of the proviso of formula Ia.

[0099] The most preferred compounds of the second aspect are those in Table 1a. TABLE 1a No. X¹ X⁴ X⁵ b R¹⁻⁵ R⁷ R⁹ R¹⁰ II.1 CHOAc C═O CH₂ double Me COOH Me Me II.4 CHOAc C═O C═O double Me COOMe Me Me II.5 CHOCOCH₂Cl C═O CH₂ double Me CH₂OAc Me Me II.6 CHOCOCH₂Cl C═O C═O double Me CH₂OAc Me Me II.7 CHOH C═O C═O double Me CH₂OAc Me Me II.8 CHOH C═O C═O double Me CH₂OH Me Me II.9 CHOAc C═O CH₂ double Me COOCH₂O—COBu^(t) Me Me II.11 CHOAc C═O C═O double Me COOCH₂OCOBu^(t) Me Me II.12 CHOAc CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOH CH₂ CN II.13 CHOAc CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOH CH₂ CO II.15 CHOAc CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOH CH₂ CH₂OH II.16 CHOAc C═O CHOAc double Me CH₂OAc Me Me II.17 C═O CH₂ CH₂ single Me, CH₂OAc Me Me (R²:H) II.18 CHOAc CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOH CH₂ COH II.19 CHOH CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOH (20-R)—OH Me II.20 CHOH CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOH (20-S)—OH Me II.21 CHOH CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOH (20-R)—CH₂OH Me II.22 CHOH CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOH (20-S)—CH₂OH Me II.23 CHOAc C═O C═O double Me COOCH₂OCOMe Me Me II.24 CHOH CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOCH₂OCOBu^(t) CH₂ COH II.25 CHOH CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOCH₂OCOMe CH₂ COH II.26 CHOH C═O C═O double Me COOMe Me Me II.27 CHOH C═O CH₂ double Me COOCH₂OCOBu^(t) Me Me II.30 CHOH C═O CH₂ double Me CH₂OAc Me Me II.31 CHOH C═O CH₂ double Me COOMe Me Me II.32 CHOH C═O CH₂ double Me COOCH₂OCOMe Me Me II.34 A C═O CH₂ double Me COOMe Me Me II.35 B C═O CH₂ double Me COOMe Me Me II.36 CHOAc C═O C═O double Me CH₂OH Me Me II.37 CHOH C═O C═O double Me COOCH₂OCOMe Me Me II.38 CHOH C═O C═O double Me COOCH₂OCOBu^(t) Me Me II.39 A C═O C═O double Me COOMe Me Me II.40 B C═O C═O double Me COOMe Me Me II.41 A C═O CH₂ double Me COOH Me Me II.42 B C═O CH₂ double Me COOH Me Me II.43 A CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOH CH₂ Me II.44 B CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOH CH₂ Me II.45 A CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOMe CH₂ Me II.46 B CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOMe CH₂ Me II.47 A CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOCH₂OCOMe CH₂ Me II.48 B CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOCH₂OCOMe CH₂ Me II.49 CHOAc CH₂ CH₂ single Me CH₂OTs CH₂ Me II.50 A CH₂ CH₂ single Me HA CH₂ Me II.51 B CH₂ CH₂ single Me HB CH₂ Me II.52 CHOAc CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOCOMe CH₂ COH II.53 CHOAc CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOCOMe CH₂ Me II.54 CHOAc C═O CH₂ double Me COF Me Me II.55 CHOAc CH₂ CH₂ single Me COF CH₂ Me II.56 CHOAc CH₂ CH₂ single Me COF CH₂ COH II.57 C═O CH₂ CH₂ single Me COF CH₂ Me II.58 CHOAc CH₂ CH₂ single Me COF Me Me

[0100] In respect of the invention as a whole, it is preferable that the proliferative disorder is cancer or leukaemia In one embodiment, the cancer or leukaemia is p53, hormone and multidrug resistance independent In another embodiment, the cancer or leukaemia is independent of Rb status.

[0101] More specifically, the present invention relates to a method of treating patients suffering from cancer by administering therapeutically effective amounts of a compound of formula I or pharmaceutically acceptable salts or esters thereof.

[0102] Without wishing to be bound by theory, preliminary studies suggest that rather than influencing the activity of cyclin dependent kinases, the compounds of the present invention appear to operate via an alternative mechanism. In particular, it is believed that the betulinines of the present invention may inhibit cell proliferation and induce cancer cell death in a manner which involves mainly post-translational modifications, namely the phosphorylation, of a key regulatory protein involved in cellular proliferation. More specifically, it is believed that the betulinines of the invention effect a change in the phosphorylation state of the Rb protein. Such a mechanism may be advantageous as it is thought that the compounds of the present invention may be capable of inhibiting cell proliferation in proliferating tumour tissue, but not in healthy tissue.

[0103] Thus, in a further embodiment the present invention relates to a method of treating a cancerous or leukaemic proliferative disease through effecting a change in the pRb protein phosphorylation state by the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula I or pharmaceutically acceptable salts or esters thereof.

[0104] The compounds of the present invention are also capable of inducing apoptosis (programmed cell death) in proliferative cells. Thus, in an additional embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of inducing cell death in proliferative cells comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula I or pharmaceutically acceptable salts or esters thereof.

[0105] A further aspect of the present invention relates to use of betulinines of formula I as research chemicals and as compounds for clinical and/or laboratory diagnostics. More particularly, the invention relates to the use of betulinines as research chemicals for studying the phosphorylation/de-phosphorylation processes of cellular substrates, cellular proliferation, purification of target molecules, and/or cell cycle studies.

[0106] The present invention therefore further relates to the use of a compound of formula I in the manufacture of a medicament for use in the treatment of a proliferative disease.

[0107] As used herein the phrase “manufacture of a medicament” includes the use of a compound of formula I directly as the medicament in addition to its use in a screening programme for further anti-proliferative agents or in any stage of the manufacture of such a medicament.

[0108] Such a screening programme may for example include an assay for determining the phosphorylation state of cellular substrates and determining whether a candidate substance is capable of mimicking the activity of a betulinine of formula I.

[0109] Thus, in a further embodiment, the invention relates to the use of a compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, crystal form, complex, hydrate, or hydrolysable ester thereof, in an assay for determining the phosphorylation state of cellular substrates, and optionally in the identification of candidate compounds that act in a similar manner.

[0110] Preferably, the cellular substrate, the phosphorylation state of which is being assayed is Rb protein.

[0111] Such assays may be carried out by incubating a betulinin either alone or together with a candidate substance with a relevant cell line and assessing the phosphorylation profile the Rb protein over a period of time. If a candidate substance is present it's effect on the activity of the control betulinin will be evident by running the corresponding controls (betulinin alone and candidate alone). Further information on such assays including appropriate cell lines,reagents and Rb antibodies is given below.

[0112] Rb phosphorylation assay;

[0113] Since Rb protein contains multiple phosphorylation sites for CDKs, its phosphorylated form has molecular weight about 110 kDa, while the molecular weight of hypophosphorylated protein is only 105 kDa. This small difference in molecular weight is enough to separate both forms by conventional SDS-PAGE electrophoresis.

[0114] CEM cells may are cultured in Dulbeco's modified essential medium with 4.5 g dextrose/l, 10% of foetal calf serum, 2 mM glutamine, 100 U/ml penicillin and 100 μg/ml streptomycin with/without below indicated concentrations of betulinin. At selected time points, cells are harvested, washed in ice cold Hank's balanced salt solution and solubilized on ice using the SDS-PAGE sample buffer containing protease and phosphatase inhibitors (10 μg/ml of leupeptin, 10 μg/ml of aprotinin, 10 μg/ml of soybean typsin inhibitor, 100 μmol of benzamide, 1 mM of sodium vanadate, 1 mM of NaF, 1 mM of phenylphosphate) and boiled immediately.

[0115] Total cellular proteins (100 μg/well) are separated on SDS-PAGE electrophoresis, blotted on polyvinyldifluoride membranes and total Rb protein, including proteolytic fragment(s) detected using a pRb monoclonal antibody (Oncogene, Germany, Rb(Ab-5), Cat#OP66 Rev 2 Sep. 1996 EB, Clone LM95.1) and visualized by chemiluminiscence (ECL-Western Blotting System, Amersham). Details of the Western blot technique are described in Ausubel, F. M., Brent, R., Kingston, R. E., Moore, D. D., Seidman, J. G., Smith, J. A., Struhl, K ads): Short Protocols in Molecular Biology, 2nd edition, John Wiley & Sons, New York, Chichester, Brisbane, Toronto, Singapore, 1992, page 10-33-10-35.

[0116] The compounds of the present invention can be present as salts or esters, in particular pharmaceutically acceptable salts or esters.

[0117] Pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the product of the invention include suitable acid addition or base salts thereof A review of suitable pharmaceutical salts may be found in Berge et al, J Pharm Sci, 66, 1-19 (1977). Salts are formed, for example with strong inorganic acids such as mineral acids, e.g. sulphuric acid, phosphoric acid or hydrohalic acids; with strong organic carboxylic acids, such as alkanecarboxylic acids of 1 to 4 carbon atoms which are unsubstituted or substituted (e.g., by halogen), such as acetic acid; with saturated or unsaturated dicarboxylic acids, for example oxalic, malonic, succinic, maleic, fumaric, phthalic or tetraphthalic; with hydroxycarboxylic acids, for example ascorbic, glycolic, lactic, malic, tartaric or citric acid; with aminoacids, for example aspartic or glutamic acid; with benzoic acid; or with organic sulfonic acids, such as (C₁-C₄)-alkyl- or aryl-sulfonic acids which are unsubstituted or substituted (for example, by a halogen) such as methane- or p-toluene sulfonic acid.

[0118] Esters are formed either using organic acids or alcohols/hydroxides, depending on the functional group being esterified. Organic acids include carboxylic acids, such as alkanecarboxylic acids of 1 to 12 carbon atoms which are unsubstituted or substituted (e.g., by halogen), such as acetic acid; with saturated or unsaturated dicarboxylic acid, for example oxalic, malonic, succinic, maleic, fumaric, phthalic or tetraphthalic; with hydroxycarboxylic acids, for example ascorbic, glycolic, lactic, malic, tartaric or citric acid; with aminoacids, for example aspartic or glutamic acid; with benzoic acid; or with organic sulfonic acids, such as (C₁-C₄)-alkyl- or aryl-sulfonic acids which are unsubstituted or substituted (for example, by a halogen) such as methane- or p-toluene sulfonic acid. Suitable hydroxides include inorganic hydroxides, such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, aluminium hydroxide. Alcohols include alkanealcohols of 1-12 carbon atoms which may be unsubstituted or substituted, e.g. by a halogen).

[0119] In all aspects of the present invention previously discussed, the invention includes, where appropriate all enantiomers and tautomers of compounds of formula I or Ia The man skilled in the art will recognise compounds that possess optical properties (one or more chiral carbon atoms) or tautomeric characteristics. The corresponding enantiomers and/or tautomers may be isolated/prepared by methods known in the art.

[0120] The invention furthermore relates to the compounds of, or of use, in the present invention in their various crystalline forms, polymorphic forms and (an)hydrous forms. It is well established within the pharmaceutical industry that chemical compounds may be isolated in any of such forms by slightly varying the method of purification and or isolation from the solvents used in the synthetic preparation of such compounds.

[0121] The invention further includes the compounds of, or of use, in the present invention in prodrug form. Such prodrugs are generally compounds of formula I or Ia wherein one or more appropriate groups have been modified such that the modification is reversed upon administration to a human or mammalian subject. Such reversion is usually performed by an enzyme naturally present in such subject, though it is possible for a second agent to be administered together with such a prodrug in order to perform the reversion in vivo. Examples of such modifications include esters (for example, any of those described above), wherein the reversion may be carried out be an esterase etc. Other such systems will be well known to those skilled in the art.

[0122] The present invention also encompasses pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of the invention. In this regard, and in particular for human therapy, even though the compounds of the present invention (including their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters and pharmaceutically acceptable solvates) can be administered alone, they will generally be administered in admixture with a pharmaceutical carrier, excipient or diluent selected with regard to the intended route of administration and standard pharmaceutical practice.

[0123] Thus, the present invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising betulinines or pharmaceutically acceptable salts or esters thereof, together with at least one pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, diluent or carrier.

[0124] By way of example, in the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention, the compounds of the invention may be admixed with any suitable binder(s), lubricant(s), suspending agent(s), coating agent(s), and/or solubilising agent(s). Examples of such suitable excipients for the various different forms of pharmaceutical compositions described herein may be found in the “Handbook of Pharmaceutical Excipients, 2^(nd) Edition, (1994), Edited by A Wade and P J Weller.

[0125] The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may be adapted for oral, rectal, vaginal, parenteral, intramuscular, intraperitoneal, intraarterial, intrathecal, intrabronchial, subcutaneous, intradermal, intravenous, nasal, buccal or sublingual routes of administration.

[0126] For oral administration, particular use is made of compressed tablets, pills, tablets, gellules, drops, and capsules. Preferably, these compositions contain from 1 to 250 mg and more preferably from 10-100 mg, of active ingredient per dose.

[0127] Other forms of administration comprise solutions or emulsions which may be injected intravenously, intraarterially, intrathecally, subcutaneously, intradermally, intraperitoneally or intramuscularly, and which are prepared from sterile or sterilisable solutions. The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may also be in form of suppositories, pessaries, suspensions, emulsions, lotions, ointments, creams, gels, sprays, solutions or dusting powders.

[0128] An alternative means of transdermal administration is by use of a skin patch. For example, the active ingredient can be incorporated into a cream consisting of an aqueous emulsion of polyethylene glycols or liquid paraffin. The active ingredient can also be incorporated, at a concentration of between 1 and 10% by weight, into an ointment consisting of a white wax or white soft paraffin base together with such stabilisers and preservatives as may be required.

[0129] Injectable forms may contain between 10-1000 mg, preferably between 10-250 mg, of active ingredient per dose.

[0130] Compositions may be formulated in unit dosage form, i.e., in the form of discrete portions containing a unit dose, or a multiple or sub-unit of a unit dose.

[0131] A person of ordinary skill in the art can easily determine an appropriate dose of one of the instant compositions to administer to a subject without undue experimentation. Typically, a physician will determine the actual dosage which will be most suitable for an individual patient and it will vary with the age, weight and response of the particular patient The dosages disclosed herein are exemplary of the average case. There can of course be individual instances where higher or lower dosage ranges are merited, and such are within the scope of this invention.

[0132] In an exemplary embodiment, one or more doses of 10 to 150 mg/day will be administered to the patient for the treatment of malignancy.

[0133] The invention further relates to methods of chemical synthesis of the above described compounds.

[0134] In one embodiment, the invention relates to a process for preparing a compound of formula I, as defined above, wherein X⁴ is C═O and X⁵ is C═O or CH₂,

[0135] comprising

[0136] (i) oxidising a compound of formula Ib to form a compound of formula Ic; and

[0137] (ii) where R^(1c) is H, esterifying with an appropriate group bearing the desired R^(1c) substituent; and optionally

[0138] (iii) oxidising the product of step (i) or (ii) to form a compound of formula Id.

[0139] In a preferred embodiment, the compound of formula Ib is oxidised to Ic by treating with ruthenium tetroxide.

[0140] In a preferred aspect, the compound of formula Ic is oxidised to Id by treating with selenium dioxide.

[0141] A further embodiment of the invention relates to a process for preparing a compound of formula I as defined above, wherein X⁴ and X⁵ are CH₂,

[0142] comprising oxidising a compound of formula Ie to form a compound of formula If.

[0143] In a preferred aspect, the compound of formula Ie is oxidised to If by treating with selenium dioxide.

[0144] The preparation of the compounds of the present invention will be discussed in greater detail below, with specific reference to the preferred embodiments. The man skilled in the relevant art would be able to prepare other compounds of the invention by selection of the appropriate reagents.

[0145] The following scheme illustrates the synthesis of compounds of formula I where X¹ is CHOAc, X⁴ is C═O, X⁵ is CH₂ or C═O, R^(1-5,9,10) are methyl, and R⁷ is CH₂OAc, COOMe or COOCH₂OCOC(CH₃)₃.

[0146] Conditions: a, hydrolysis (e.g. with potassium hydroxide); b, oxidation (e.g. with ruthenium tetroxide); c, esterification (e.g. with diazomethane); d, esterification with POM-Cl in the presence of base (e.g. DBU); e, esterification with AcM-Br in the presence of base (e.g. DBU); f, oxidation (e.g. with selenium dioxide).

[0147] The scheme below illustrates the synthesis of compounds of formula I where X¹ is CHOAc, X^(4,5) are CH₂, R¹⁻⁵ are methyl, R⁷ is COOH, R⁹ is CH₂, and R¹⁰ is COH.

[0148] Conditions: a, oxidation (e.g. with selenium dioxide).

[0149] The scheme below illustrates the synthesis of compounds II.34, II.35, II.39-II.48, II.50 and II.51 of formula I where R¹⁻⁵ are methyl.

X⁴ = C═O, X⁵ = CH₂ R⁹ = CH₃, R¹⁰ = CH₃ R⁷ = COOCH₃ b is double bond or X⁴ = C═O, X⁵ = CH₂ R⁹ = CH₃, R¹⁰ = CH₃ R⁷ = COOH b is double bond or X⁴ = C═O, X⁵ = C═O R⁹ = CH₃, R¹⁰ = CH₃ R⁷ = COOCH₃ b is double bond or X⁴ = CH₂, X⁵ = CH₂ R⁹ = ═CH₂, R¹⁰ = CH₃ R⁷ = COOH b is single bond or X⁴ = CH₂, X⁵ = CH₂ R⁹ = ═CH₂, R¹⁰ = CH₃ R⁷ = OOOCH₃ b is single bond or X⁴ = CH₂, X⁵ = CH₂ R⁹ = ═CH₂, R¹⁰ = CH₃ R⁷ = COOCH₂OCOCH₃ b is single bond or X⁴ = CH₂, X⁵ = CH₂ R⁹ = ═CH₂, R¹⁰ = CH₃ R⁷ = CH₂OH b is single bond

X⁴ = C═O, X⁵ = CH₂ R⁹ = CH₃, R¹⁰ = CH₃ R⁷ = COOCH₃ b is double bond or X⁴ = C═O, X⁵ = CH₂ R⁹ = CH₃, R¹⁰ = CH₃ R⁷ = COOH b is double bond or X⁴ = C═O, X⁵ = C═O R⁹ = CH₃, R¹⁰ = CH₃ R⁷ = COOCH₃ b is double bond or X⁴ = CH₂, X⁵ = CH₂ R⁹ = ═CH₂, R¹⁰ = CH₃ R⁷ = COOH b is single bond or X⁴ = CH₂, X⁵ = CH₂ R⁹ = ═CH₂, R¹⁰ = CH₃ R⁷ = OOOCH₃ b is single bond or X⁴ = CH₂, X⁵ = CH₂ R⁹ = ═CH₂, R¹⁰ = CH₃ R⁷ = COOCH₂OCOCH₃ b is single bond or X⁴ = CH₂, X⁵ = CH₂ R⁹ = ═CH₂, R¹⁰ = CH₃

b is single bond

X⁴ = C═O, X⁵ = CH₂ R⁹ = CH₃, R¹⁰ = CH₃ R⁷ = COOCH₃ b is double bond or X⁴ = C═O, X⁵ = CH₂ R⁹ = CH₃, R¹⁰ = CH₃ R⁷ = COOH b is double bond or X⁴ = C═O, X⁵ = C═O R⁹ = CH₃, R¹⁰ = CH₃ R⁷ = COOCH₃ b is double bond or X⁴ = CH₂, X⁵ = CH₂ R⁹ = ═CH₂, R¹⁰ = CH₃ R⁷ = COOH b is single bond or X⁴ = CH₂, X⁵ = CH₂ R⁹ = ═CH₂, R¹⁰ = CH₃ R⁷ = OOOCH₃ b is single bond or X⁴ = CH₂, X⁵ = CH₂ R⁹ = ═CH₂, R¹⁰ = CH₃ R⁷ = COOCH₂OCOCH₃ b is single bond or X⁴ = CH₂, X⁵ = CH₂ R⁹ = ═CH₂, R¹⁰ = CH₃

b is single bond

[0150] Conditions: a, esterification with chloroformate of solketal in presence of base (e.g. pyridine); b, deprotection of acetonide (e.g. with hydrochloric acid).

[0151] The scheme below illustrates the synthesis of compounds II.54-II.58 of formula I where R¹-R⁵ are methyl, X⁵ is CH₂, X¹ is CHOAc or C═O, X⁴ is CH₂ or C═O, R⁹ is ═CH₂ or CH₃, R¹⁰ is CH₃ or COH and R⁷ is COOH or COF.

X¹ = CHOAc, X⁴ = CH₂ R⁹ = CH₂, R¹⁰ = CH₃ b is single bond or X¹ = CHOAc, X⁴ = CH₂ R⁹ = CH₃, R¹⁰ = CH₃ b is single bond or X¹ = C═O, X⁴ = CH₂ R⁹ = ═CH₂, R¹⁰ = CH₃ b s single bond or X¹ = CHOAc, X⁴ = CH₂ R⁹ = ═CH₂, R^(10 = COH) b is single bond or X¹ = CHOAc, X⁴ = C═O R⁹, R¹⁰ = CH3 b is double bond

X¹ = CHOAc, X⁴ = CH₂ R⁹ = CH₂, R¹⁰ = CH₃ b is single bond or X¹ = CHOAc, X⁴ = CH₂ R⁹ = CH₃, R¹⁰ = CH₃ b is single bond or X¹ = C═O, X⁴ = CH₂ R⁹ = ═CH₂, R¹⁰ = CH₃ b s single bond or X¹ = CHOAc, X⁴ = CH₂ R⁹ = ═CH₂, R^(10 = COH) b is single bond or X¹ = CHOAc, X⁴ = C═O R⁹, R¹⁰ = CH3 b is double bond

[0152] Conditions: a, reaction with diethylaminosulphur trifluoride.

[0153] This invention is further illustrated by the following examples, which should not be construed as further limiting.

EXAMPLES General

[0154] The chemical shift values (δ-scale, ppm) and coupling constants (J, Hz) in the ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra were obtained using a Varian UNITY-INOVA 400 FT spectrometer (¹H at 400 MHz and ¹³C at 100.6 MHz) in deuterochloroform with tetramethylsilane (for ¹H NMR data δ=0 ppm) as an internal standard. For the ¹³C NMR data δ(CDCl₃)=77.00 ppm. The value for a multiplet, either defined (doublet (d), triplet (t), quartet (q), septet (sept.) or not (m) at the approximate mid point is given unless a range is quoted (s=singlet, b=broad)).

[0155] Electron impact mass spectra (EIMS) were measured on an INCOS 50 instrument. Ionising electron energy 75 eV, ion source temperature 150° C. EIMS was used to determine molecular weights, M⁺ corresponding to the molecular ion.

[0156] Ether is diethylether. THF and dioxane were dried over sodium. Acetic acid was purified before use by chromium trioxide treatment and distillation. Reactions were run at room temperature unless otherwise stated. The reaction progress was monitored by thin layer chromatography (TLC) on silicagel 60 G (Merck, detection by spraying with 10% sulphuric acid and heating). The work-up procedure involves dilution with specified solvent (otherwise the organic reaction solvent), extraction with water and then brine or sodium hydrogencarbonate, drying over anhydrous magnesium sulphate, and evaporation under vacuum to give a residue.

Example 1 Lup-20(29)-ene-3β,28-diyl diacetate

[0157] Crude betuline (500 g) was dissolved in a mixture of 250 ml pyridine and 250 ml acetic anhydride. The mixture was then refluxed for half an hour. After cooling, the resulting crystals were filtered off and washed with acetic acid, ethanol and water. A solution of crude lup-20(29)-ene-3β,28-diyl diacetate (400 g) in chloroform was filtered through a column of alumina, and the column was washed with chloroform. The filtrate was then evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was crystallized from chloroform/methanol to obtain 250 g of the title compound which according to TLC contained traces of lupeol acetate. After recrystallization from chloroform/methanol, the yield of pure compound was 239 g, mp. 222-223° C., [α]_(D) +22° (c 0.4; CHCl₃). [Schulze H., Pieroh K.: Ber. Dtsch. Chem. Ges. 55, 2332 (1922)].

[0158] The ¹H NMR spectrum of the title compound is as follows:

[0159] 0.84 s, 0.84 s, 0.85 s, 0.97 s, 1.03 s, 1.68, 6×3H (6×CH₃); 2.04 s, 3 H, 2.07 s, 3 H (2×OAc); 2.44 ddd, 1 H (J′=11.4, J″=10.9, J′″=0.7, H-19); 3.85 d, 1 H (J=11.1, H-28a); 4.25 dd, 1 H, (J′=11.1, J″=1.4, H-28b); 4.47 m, 1 H (H-3α); 4.59 m, 1 H (ΣJ=3.4, H-29E); 4.69 m, 1 H (Σ=2.1, H-29Z).

Example 2 Lup-18-ene-3β,28-diyl diacetate

[0160] A solution of hydrogen bromide in acetic acid (38%, 1.4 l) was added to a solution of lup-20(29)-ene-3β,28-diyl diacetate (100 g, 190 mmol) in a mixture of benzene, acetic acid and acetic anhydride (1 l:0.5 l:50 ml). The reaction mixture was refluxed until the reaction was completed (TLC was developed in hexane/ether mixture). After cooling, the reaction mixture was poured into ice cold water (3:1) and extracted with benzene (3×0.5 l). The combined organic phases were washed with NaHCO₃ aqueous solution, NaHSO₃ solution and water and dried over magnesium sulphate. Usual working up procedure gave 90 g of dark brown residue. The dry powder was extracted in a Soxhlet extractor with acetone until it turned white. After drying in the air, the product was crystallized from butanone. The yield of the title compound was 74 g (74%), mp. 215-216° C., [α]_(D) +15° (c 0.45; CHCl₃). [Suokas E., Hase T.: Acta Chem. Scand., B 29, 139 (1975)].

[0161] The ¹H NMR spectrum of the title compound is as follows:

[0162] 0.84 s, 0.85 s, 0.89 s, 0.90 s, 0.91 d, 3 H (J=6.8), 0.99 d, 3 H (J=6.8), 1.06 s, 7×3 H (7×CH₃); 2.04 s, 3 H, 2.05 s, 3 H (2× OAc); 2.25 m, 2 H (ΣJ˜15); 2.43 m, 1 H (ΣJ˜15), 3.14 sept., 1 H (J=7, H-20); 3.98 d, 1 H (J=10.8, H-28a); 4.03 d, 1 H (J=10.8, H-28b); 4.49 m, 1 H (H-3α).

Example 3 21 -oxo-lup-18-ene-3β,28-diyl diacetate

[0163] Lup-18-ene-3β,28-diyl diacetate (50 g; 95 mmol), sodium dichromate (22.5 g; 75.5 mmol) and sodium acetate (5 g) were dissolved in a mixture of benzene and acetic acid (0.7 l, 0.3 l). The reaction mixture was allowed to stand until the reaction was completed (TLC was developed in hexane/ether). After dilution with an excess of water, the mixture was extracted with benzene (3×300 ml). After usual working up procedure the title compound was obtained (45 g, 87%) as a pale-yellow crystalline foam which was used in the next step without further purification (see Example 4). Pure title compound has up. 205-206° C., [α]_(D) −35° (c 0.49; CHCl₃). Another way to the title compound is described in Sejbal J., Klinot J., Bude{haeck over (s)}ínský M., Protiva J.: Collect. Czech Chem. Commune 56, 2936 (1991).

[0164] The ¹H NMR spectrum of the title compound is as follows:

[0165] 0.85 s, 0.86 s, 0.93 s, 0.94 s, 1.16 s, 1.17 d (J=7.1), 1.21 d (J=7.1), 7×3 H (7×CH₃); 2.00 s, 3 H, 2.05 s, 3 H (2× OAc); 2.39 d, 1 H (J=18.5, H-22); 2.87 dd, 1 H (J′=11.9, J″=4.1, H-13β); 3.18 sept., 1 H (J=6.6, H-20); 4.06 d, 1 H (J=10.9, H-28a); 4.34 d, 1 H (J=10.9, H-28b); 4.49 m, 1 H (J˜7, H-3α).

[0166] The following compounds were prepared by the above-mentioned procedure:

[0167] (pivaloyloxy)methyl 3β,28-diacetoxy-18-oxo-19,20,21,29,30-pentanorlupan-22-oate acetoxymethyl 3β,28-diacetoxy-18-oxo-19,20,21,29,30-pentanorlupan-22-oate

Example 4 21,22-dioxolup-18-ene-3β,28-diyl diacetate

[0168] A solution of crude 21-oxo-lup-18-ene-3β,28-diyl diacetate (40 g; 74 mmol; containing about 85% of 21-oxo-lup-18-ene-3β,28-diyl diacetate) and selenium dioxide (160 g; 1.44 mol) in a mixture of dioxane (0.8 l) and acetic acid (0.4 l) was refluxed until the reaction was completed (TLC was developed in benzene/ether).

[0169] After cooling, the precipitated selenium was removed by filtration and the filtrate was slowly poured into a vigorously stirred excess of water. The red-orange precipitate was filtered off under reduced pressure, carefully washed with water and dried in the air. Dry crude 21,22-dioxo-lup-18-ene-3β,28-diyl diacetate was dissolved in chloroform and the solution was filtered through a column of alumina, the column was then washed with chloroform and the filtrate was evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was crystallized from methyl acetate to give 28.9 g (82%) of the title compound as pale-orange needles, mp. 267-270° C., [α]_(D) −127° (c 0.32; CHCl₃). Another way to the title compound is described in Klinotová E., Cermáková J., Rejzek M., Krecek V., Sejbal J., Ol{haeck over (s)}ovský P., Klinot J.: Collect. Czech. Chem. Commun. 64, 329 (1999).

[0170] The ¹H NMR spectrum of the title compound is as follows:

[0171] 0.85 s, 0.86 s, 0.94 s, 0.97 s, 1.18 s, 1.24 d (J=7.2), 1.26 d (J=7.2), 7×3 H (7×CH₃); 1.93 s, 3 H, 2.06 s, 3 H (2×OAc); 3.12 dd, 1 H (J′=12.5, J″=3.8, H-13β); 3.36 sept., 1 H (J=7.0, H-20); 4.02 d, 1 H (J=11.1, H-28a); 4.49 dd, 1 H (J′=10.2, J″=6.0, H-3α); 4.84 d, 1 H (J=11.1, H-28b).

[0172] The following compounds were prepared by the above-mentioned procedure:

[0173] methyl 3β-acetoxy-21,22-dioxolup-18-en-28-oate

[0174] acetoxymethyl 3β-acetoxy-21,22-dioxolup-18-en-28-oate

[0175] (pivaloyloxy)methyl 3β-acetoxy-21,22-dioxolup-18-en-28-oate

[0176] acetoxymethyl-3β,28diacetoxy-18-oxo-19,20,21,29,30-pentanorlup-12-en-22-oate

[0177] (pivaloyloxy)methyl 3β,28-diacetoxy-18-oxo-19,20,21,29,30-pentanorlup-12-en-22-oate

[0178] 3β-hydroxy-30-oxolup-20(29)-en-28-oic acid [Dinda B., Hajra A. K., Das S. K., Chel G., Chakraborty R., Ranu B. C.: Indian. J. Chem., Sect. B 34, 624 (1995)].

[0179] acetoxymethyl 3β-hydroxy-30-oxolup-20(29)-en-28-oate

[0180] (pivaloyloxy)methyl 3β-hydroxy-30-oxolup-20(29)-en-28-oate

Example 5 28-hydroxy-21-oxolup-18-en-3β-yl acetate

[0181] A solution of 21-oxolup-18-ene-3β,28-yl diacetate (20 g; 37 mmol) and potassium hydroxide (2.5 g; 45 mmol) in a mixture of benzene (200 ml) and ethanol (200 ml), was vigorously stirred until the reaction was completed (TLC was developed with the mixture hexane/ether).

[0182] The mixture was then poured into dilute (1:4) hydrochloric acid and extracted with benzene (3×200 ml). The organic layer was processed by the usual working up procedure to yield 17.5 g (95%) of a snow-white crystalline residue. Pure title compound has m.p. 292-294° C., [α]_(D −)69° (c 0.34; CHCl₃). [Klinotová E., Cermáková J., Rejzek M., Krecek V., Sejbal J., Ol{haeck over (s)}ovský P., Klinot J.: Collect Czech Chem. Commun. 64, 329 (1999)].

[0183] The ¹H NMR spectrum of the title compound is as follows:

[0184] 0.85 s, 0.86 s, 0.93 s, 0.95 s, 1.13 s, 1.19 d (J=6.9), 1.21 d (J=6.9), 7×3 H (7×CH₃); 1.92 d, 1 H (J=18.6, H-22a); 2.05 s, 3 H (OAc); 2.44 d, 1 H (J=18.6, H-22b); 2.78 dd, 1 H (J′=12.5, J″=3.4, H-13β); 3.19 sept., 1 H (J=6.9, H-20); 3.67 d, 1 H (J=10.7, H-28a); 3.72 d, 1 H (J=10.7, H-28b); 4.49 dd, 1 H(J′=11.0, J″=5.5,H-3α).

Example 6 17β-methoxycarbonyl-28-norlup-20(29)-en-3β-yl[(2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl)-methyl]carbonate

[0185] A solution of methyl betulinate (0.5 g; 1.1 mmol) in a mixture of dichloromethane (8.0 ml), pyridine (0.4 ml) and chloroformate of solketal (0.8 ml; 4.1 mmol) was vigorously stirred for twelve hours at room temperature. After the reaction was complete the mixture was slowly poured into 100 ml of 5% hydrochloric acid and ice, twice extracted with chloroform. The combined organic layers were worked up in the usual manner and chromatographed on silica gel (10% ethyl acetate in hexane). After crystallization from methanol, the yield of pure compound was 0.45 g (67%), mp. 106-108° C., [α]_(D) +17° (c 0.56; CHCl₃).

[0186] The ¹³C NMR spectrum of the title compound is as follows:

[0187] 176.7, 155.1, 109.9, 109.6, 150.5, 85.8, 73.5, 73.4, 67.5, 66.4, 56.6, 55.4, 51.3, 50.4, 49.4, 47.0, 42.4, 40.7, 38.3, 38,2, 38.0, 37.1, 36.9, 34.2, 32.1, 30.6, 29.7, 27.8,26.7, 25.5, 25.4, 22.6, 20.9, 19.3, 18.1,16.4, 16.1, 15.9, 14.7.

[0188] The following compounds were prepared by the above-mentioned procedure:

[0189] 17β-methoxycarbonyl-21-oxo-28-norlup-18-en-3β-yl[(2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl)methyl]carbonate

[0190] 17β-methoxycarbonyl-21,22-dioxo-28-norlup-18-en-3β-yl[(2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl)methyl]carbonate

[0191] 17β-carboxy-21-oxo-28-norlup-18-en-3β-yl[(2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl)methyl]carbonate

[0192] 17β-carboxy-28-norlup-20(29)-en-3β-yl[(2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl)methyl]carbonate

[0193] 17β-(acetoxymethylen)oxycarbonyl-28-norlup-20(29)-en-3β-yl[(2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl)methyl]carbonate

[0194] 17β-methylene-28-norlup-20(29)-en-3β-yl bis[(2,2dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl)methyl]dicarbonate

Example 7 17β-methoxycarbonyl-28-norlup-20(29)-en-3β-yl(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)carbonate

[0195] A solution of HCl (10%; 6.0 ml) was added to a solution of 17β-methoxycabonyl-28-norlup-20(29)-en-3β-yl[(2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl)methyl]carbonate (0.4 g; 0.6 mmol) in THF (8.0 ml) and the clear reaction mixture was stirred for five hours at 30° C. After the reaction was complete, the mixture was diluted with cold water (50 ml) and twice extracted with ethylacetate. The combined organic layers were worked up in the usual manner and chromatographed on silica gel (toluene/ethyl acetate, 5:1). The yield of white lyophilized (from acetic acid) powder was 0.28 g (76%), m p. 89-91° C., [α]_(D) +14° (c 0.58; CHCl₃).

[0196] The ¹³C NMR spectrum of the title compound is as follows:

[0197] 176.7, 155.6, 150.5, 109.6, 86.2, 70.1, 68.4, 63.2, 56.5, 55.4, 51.3, 50.4, 49.4, 47.0, 42.4, 40.7, 38.3, 38.2, 38.1, 37.1, 37.0, 34.2, 32.1, 30.6, 29.6, 27.9, 25.4, 23.6, 20.9, 19.3, 18.1, 16.4, 16.1, 15.9, 14.7.

[0198] The following compounds were prepared by the above-mentioned procedure:

[0199] 17β-methoxycarbonyl-21-oxo-28-norlup-18-en-3β-yl(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)carbonate

[0200] 17β-methoxycarbonyl-21,22-dioxo-28-norlup-18-en-3β-yl(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)carbonate

[0201] 17β-carboxy-21-oxo-28-norlup-18-en-3β-yl(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)carbonate

[0202] 17β-carboxy-28-norlup-20(29)-en-3β-yl(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)carbonate

[0203] 17β-(acetoxymethylen)oxycarbonyl-28-norlup-20(29)-en-3β-yl(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)carbonate

[0204] 17β-methylene-28-norlup-20(29)-en-3β-yl bis(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)dicarbonate

EXAMPLE 8 3β-acetoxy-lup-20(29)-en-28-oyl fluoride

[0205] Diethylaminosulphur trifluoride (0.2 ml; 1.3 mmol) was added dropwise to a solution of acetylbetulinic acid (0.2 g; 0.4 mmol) in dry chloroform (2 ml) and the reaction mixture was stirred for one hour at room temperature. After the reaction was complete, the mixture was slowly poured into cold water (50 ml) and twice extracted with chloroform. The combined organic fractions were worked up in the usual manner and chromatographed on silica gel (3% ethyl acetate in hexane). The residue was crystallized from isopropyl alcohol to obtain 0.13 g (65%) of the title compound as small white crystals, m.p. 211-214° C. (decomp.), [α]_(D) +38° (c 0.44; CHCl₃).

[0206] The 13C NMR spectrum of the title compound is as follows:

[0207] 171.0 s, 165.2 d (J=375), 149.3 s, 110.4 s, 80.9 s, 57.0 d (J=39), 55.4 s, 50.4 s, 49.1 s, 46.7 s, 42.4 s, 40.7 s, 38.5 s, 38.4 s, 37.8 s, 37.1 s, 35.6 s, 34.2 s, 30.9 s, 30.0 s, 29.7 s, 27.9 s, 25.3 s, 23.7 s, 21.3 s, 20.8s, 19.3 s, 18.1 s, 16.5 s, 16.2 s, 15.9 s, 14.7 s.

[0208] The following compounds were prepared by the above-mentioned procedure:

[0209] 3β-acetoxy-21-oxolup-18-en-28-oyl fluoride

[0210] 3β-acetoxylup-28-oyl fluoride

[0211] 3-oxolup-20(29)-en-28-oyl fluoride

[0212] 3β-acetoxy-30-oxolup-20(29)-en-28-oyl fluoride

Example: 9 Biological Activity of Betulinines In vitro Cytotoxic Activity of Betulinines on Tumor Cell Lines

[0213] One of the parameters used as the basis for colorimetric assays is the metabolic activity of viable cells. For example, a microtiter assay which uses the tetrazolium salt MTT is now widely used to quantitate cell proliferation and cytotoxicity [Hajdúch M, Mihál V, Minarík J, Fáber E, {haeck over (S)}afárov{acute over (a )} M, Weigl E, Antálek P.: Cytotechnology, 1996, 19, 243-245]. For instance, this assay is used in drug screening programs and in chemosensitivity testing. Because tetrazolium salts are cleaved only by metabolically active cells, these assays exclusively detect viable cells. In the case of the MTT assay, yellow soluble tetrazolium salt is reduced to a coloured water-insoluble formazan salt. After it is solubilized, the formazan formed can easily and rapidly be quantified in a conventional ELISA plate reader at 570 nm (maximum absorbancy). The quantity of reduced formazan corresponds to the number of vital cells in the culture.

[0214] Human T-lymphoblastic leukaemia cell line CEM was used for routine screening of these compounds. To prove a common mechanism of action, selected compounds which showed activity in a screening assay were tested in a panel of cell lines (Table 2). These lines were from different species and of different histogenetic origin and they possess various alterations in cell cycle regulatory proteins and hormone dependence status (Table 2). The cells were maintained in Nunc/Corning 80 cm² plastic tissue culture flasks and cultured in cell culture medium (DMEM with 5 g/l glucose, 2 mM glutamine, 100 U/ml penicillin, 100 μg/ml streptomycin, 10% foetal calf serum and sodium bicarbonate). Individual compounds were dissolved in 10% dimethylsulfoxide/saline, pH 8.0.

[0215] The cell suspensions that were prepared and diluted according to the particular cell type and the expected target cell density (2.500-30.000 cells per well based on cell growth characteristics) were added by pipette (80 μl) into 96/well microtiter plates. Inoculates were allowed a pre-incubation period of 24 hours at 37° C. and 5% CO₂ for stabilisation. Four-fold dilutions of the intended test concentration were added at time zero in 20 μl aliquots to the microtiter plate wells. Usually, test compounds were evaluated at six 4-fold dilutions. In routine testing, the highest well concentration was 250 μM, but it may differ, depending on the agent. All drug concentrations were examined in duplicate. Incubations of cells with the test compounds lasted for 72 hours at 37° C., in 5% CO₂ atmosphere and 100% humidity. At the end of the incubation period, the cells were assayed by using the MTT assay. Ten microliters of the MTT stock solution were pipetted into each well and incubated further for 1-4 hours. After this incubation period, formazan was solubilized by the addition of 100 μl/well of 10% SDS in water (pH=5.5) followed by further incubation at 37° C. overnight. The optical density (OD) was measured at 540 nm with the Labsystem iEMS Reader MF(UK). The tumour cell survival (TCS) was calculated using the following equitation: TCS=(OD_(drug exposed well)/mean OD_(control wells))×100%. The TCS₅₀ value, the drug concentration lethal to 50% of the tumour cells, was calculated from the obtained dose response curves.

[0216] To evaluate the anti-cancer activity of betulinines, their cytotoxic activity against CEM cell line was examined using the screening assay. Potent compounds were further tested against a panel of cell lines of different histogenetic and species origin (Table 2). TABLE 2 Cytotoxic activity of selected betulinines against a panel of different (non)malignant cell lines. Compound (TCS₅₀[μM]) Cell Betulinic Line D scription acid II.4 II.7 II.14 II.26 II.37 II.45 II.52 II.55 B16 mouse melanoma 36 35 9.3 B16F mouse melanoma, 4.6 68 12 metastatic SW620 human colon cancer, 250 5.9 5.9 metastasis U87MG human glioblastoma 250 24 8.4 HepG2 human hepatocellular 3.6 5.1 7.1 carcinoma A549 human lung 236 6.7 3.3 adenocarcinoma MCF-7 human breast cancer, 194 13 4.3 estrogen dependent, p53+/+, Rb +/+ U2OS human osteosarcoma, 250 4.3 3.9 p53+/−, Rb +/− Saos2 human 250 7.9 4.8 rhabdomyosarcoma, p53−/−, Rb−/− BT549 human breast cancer, 250 15 6.3 p53mut/mut MDA- human breast cancer, 195 3.3 2.4 MB-238 estrogen independent, p53mut/mut LNCaP human prostate 244 3.3 3.6 cancer, androgen dependent DU145 human prostate 241 2.0 2.8 cancer, androgen independent, Rb−/− HT-29 human colon cancer 250 5.6 4.7 OVCAR- human ovarian cancer 164 4.7 2.6 3 Caco-2 human colon cancer 20 8.1 7.7 MEL-3 human melanoma 2.7 5.9 3.7 Lymphocytes human normal 250 85 25 lymphocytes NIH3T3 mouse immortalised 250 97 16 fibroblasts K562- human promyelocytic 250 5.2 2.1 CdA leukemia, cladrubin resistant K562- human promyelocytic 101 5.0 2.4 GEM leukemia, gemcitabin resistant K562- human promyelocytic 250 6.4 1.6 ARA-C leukemia, cytarabin resistant K562- human promyelocytic 250 4.9 1.3 FLUD leukemia, fludarabin resistant CEM human T- 250 7.2 6.3 3.0 1.1 28 13 8 19 lymphoblastic leukemia CEM- human T- 250 10 1.6 DNR lymphoblastic 1/C2 leukemia, daunorubicin resistant CEM- human T- 250 5.2 3.3 DNR bulk lymphoblastic leukemia, daunorubicin resistant CEM- human T- 19 38 5.9 VCR lymphoblastic 1/F3 leukemia, vincristin resistant CEM- human T- 24 13 7.8 VCR lymphoblastic 3/D5 leukemia, vincristin resistant CEM- human T- 69 28 7.0 VCR bulk lymphoblastic leukemia, vincristin resistant

[0217] In contrast to betulinic acid, which is reported to be an agent selective for neuroectodermal derived tumours, there was no significant difference in sensitivity of betulinines to tumours of different histogenetic origin.

[0218] The compounds are effective in submicromolar or low micromolar concentrations. However, the non-malignant cells, e.g. NIH3T3 fibroblasts and normal human lymphocytes, tolerated substantially higher doses of betulinines than the tumour cells suggesting a favourable therapeutic index.

[0219] Notably, the effectiveness of betulinines was found to be identical in cell lines bearing various mutations or deletions in cell cycle associated proteins (Table 2). This indicates that these substances should be equally effective in tumours with various alterations of tumour suppresser genes, namely p53, Rb, etc.

[0220] Furthermore, betulinines were shown to be equally effective in drug resistant cell lines as on their maternal counterparts, thereby suggesting that classical mechanisms of multidrug resistance apparently do not apply to these compounds. This particular characteristic should be of significant therapeutic benefit to chemotherapy resistant cancer patients.

[0221] Finally, the cytotoxic activity of betulinines is independent of the hormonal status of cancer cells, so the compounds should be equally effective in treatment of hormone dependent and independent cancers.

[0222] Those skilled in the art will recognise, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments of the invention described herein. Such equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the claims. 

1. Use of a compound of formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in therapy,

wherein: X¹ is C═O, C═NOR^(1a), CHOR^(1a), CHOCOR^(1a), CHOC(O)OR¹¹, CHOC(O)OR^(1a), CHOC(O)OR¹², or CHOCOY-Hal X⁴ is CH₂, CH-Hal, C═O, CHOR^(1b), CHOCOR^(1b), CHOC(O)OR¹¹ X⁵ is CH₂, CH-Hal, C═O, CHOR^(1b), CHOCOR^(1b), CHOC(O)OR¹¹ R¹⁻⁵ are H or lower alkyl R⁷ is COOR^(1c), COOR¹², COHal, C(O)OC(O)R^(1c), COOYOCOR^(1c), CH₂OR^(1c), CH₂OCOR^(1c), CH₂OC(O)OR¹¹ R⁹ is R^(1d), OR^(1d), CH₂-Hal, CH₂OR^(1d), CH₂OC(O)OR¹¹, ═CHR^(1d) R¹⁰ is R^(1e), CH═NOR^(1e), CN, COOR^(1e), COR^(1e), CH₂-Hal, CH₂OR^(1e), CH₂OCOR^(1e), CH₂OC(O)OR¹¹, CH₂OSO₂CH₃, CH₂OSO₂C₆H₄CH₃ R11 is an OH-substituted alkyl group, an ether group or a cyclic ether, R¹² is lower alkyl substituted by Hal “b” is a double bond or a single bond and wherein Y═(CH₂)n n=0 to 5 R^(1a-1e) are the same or different groups of R¹ Hal is Cl, Br, I, F; with the proviso that said compound is other than 3β-3-hydroxylup-20(29)-en-28-oic acid; 3β-lup-20(29)-ene-3,28-diol; 3β-lup-20(29)-ene-3,28-diol diacetate; 3β-3-(acetyloxy)lup-20(29)-en-28-oic acid; 3β-3-(1-oxobutoxy)lup-20(29)en-28-oic acid; 3β-lup-20(29)-ene-3,28-diol 3-acetate; 3β-lup-20(29)-ene-3,28-diol 28-acetate; 3β-3-hydroxylup-20(29)-en-28-oic acid methyl ester; 3β-3-(acetyloxy)lup-20(29)-en-28-oic acid methyl ester; 3β-3-hydroxylup-20(29)-en-28-oic acid ethyl ester; 3β-3-hydroxylup-20(29)-en-28-oic acid butyl ester; 3β-lupane-3,28-diol; 3β-3-hydroxylupan-28-oic acid; 3β-3-hydroxylupan-28-oic acid methyl ester; 3β-3-(acetyloxy)lupan-28-oic acid methyl ester, 3β-3-(acetyloxy)lupan-28-oic acid; 3β-lupane-3,28-diol diacetate; 3β-lupane-3,28-diol dibutanoate; 3β-3-(3-methyl-1-oxobutoxy)lupan-28-oic acid; 3β-3-(2,2-dimethyl-1-oxopropoxy)lupan-28-oic acid; 3β-3,28-dimethoxylup-20(29)-ene; 3β-3,28-dimethoxylupane; 3β-28-methoxylupan-3-ol; 3β-3-methoxylup-20(29)-en-28-oic acid; 3β-3-methoxylup-20(29)-en-28-oic acid methyl ester, 3α-3-methoxylup-20(29)-en-28-oic acid; or 3α-3-methoxylup-20(29)-en-28-oic acid methyl ester.
 2. Use according to claim 1 wherein X¹ is C═O, CHOR^(1a), CHOCOR^(1a), CHOCOY-Hal, CHOCOOR¹¹; X⁴ is C═O, CH₂; X⁵ is C═O, CH₂, CHOCOR^(1b); R⁷ is COOR^(1c), CH₂OR^(1c), CH₂OCOR^(1c), COOYOCOR^(1c), CH₂OSO₂C₆H₄CH₃, COHal, COOCOR^(1c), CH₂OCOOR¹¹; R⁹ is R^(1d), ═CHR^(1d), CH₂OR^(1d), OR^(1d); R¹⁰ is R^(1e), CN, COOR^(1e), CH₂OR^(1e), COR^(1e).
 3. Use according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein R¹¹ is a diol, triol or polyol.
 4. Use according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein R¹, R³⁻⁵ are methyl, R² is H or methyl, and R¹ is defined as below for the relevant group R^(1a-e); when X¹ is: —CHOR^(1a), R^(1a) is H; —CHCOY-Hal, Y is CH₂ and Hal is Cl; —CHOCOR^(1a), R^(1a) is methyl; —CHOCOOR¹¹, R¹¹ is glyceryl, 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl or pentaerythrityl; when X⁵ is CHOCOR^(1b), R^(1b) is methyl; when R⁷ is: —COOR^(1c), R^(1c) is H or methyl; —COOYOCOR^(1c), Y is CH₂ and R^(1c) is H; —CH₂OR^(1c), R^(1c) is H; —CH₂OCOR^(1c), R^(1c) is methyl; —COOCOR^(1c), R^(1c) is methyl or butyl; —COHal, Hal is Cl; —CH₂OCOOR¹¹, R¹¹ is glyceryl, 2,2diethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl or pentaerythrityl; when R⁹ is ═CHR^(1d), CH₂OR^(1d) or OR^(1d), R^(1d) is H, and when R⁹ is R^(1d), R^(1d) is methyl; when R¹⁰ is R^(1e), R^(1e) is methyl, and when R¹⁰ is COOR^(1e), COR^(1e) or CH₂OR^(1e), R^(1e) is H.
 5. Use according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the compound of formula I is selected from the following table: No. X¹ X⁴ X⁵ b R¹⁻⁵ R⁷ R⁹ R¹⁰ II.1 CHOAc C═O CH₂ double Me COOH Me Me II.2 CHOAc C═O C═O double Me CH₂OAc Me Me II.3 CHOAc C═O CH₂ double Me CH₂OAc Me Me II.4 CHOAc C═O C═O double Me COOMe Me Me II.5 CHOCOCH₂Cl C═O CH₂ double Me CH₂OAc Me Me II.6 CHOCOCH₂Cl C═O C═O double Me CH₂OAc Me Me II.7 CHOH C═O C═O double Me CH₂OAc Me Me II.8 CHOH C═O C═O double Me CH₂OH Me Me II.9 CHOAc C═O CH₂ double Me COOCH₂O—COBu^(t) Me Me II.10 CHOAc C═O CH₂ double Me COOMe Me Me II.11 CHOAc C═O C═O double Me COOCH₂OCOBu^(t) Me Me II.12 CHOAc CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOH CH₂ CN II.13 CHOAc CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOH CH₂ COOH II.14 CHOH CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOH CH₂ COH II.15 CHOAc CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOH CH₂ CH₂OH II.16 CHOAc C═O CHOAc double Me CH₂OAc Me Me II.17 C═O CH₂ CH₂ single Me, CH₂OAc Me Me (R²:H) II.18 CHOAc CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOH CH₂ COH II.19 CHOH CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOH (20-R)—OH Me II.20 CHOH CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOH (20-S)—OH Me II.21 CHOH CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOH (20-R)—CH₂OH Me II.22 CHOH CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOH (20-S)—CH₂OH Me II.23 CHOAc C═O C═O double Me COOCH₂OCOMe Me Me II.24 CHOH CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOCH₂OCOBu^(t) CH₂ COH II.25 CHOH CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOCH₂OCOMe CH₂ COH II.26 CHOH C═O C═O double Me COOMe Me Me II.27 CHOH C═O CH₂ double Me COOCH₂OCOBu^(t) Me Me II.28 CHOH C═O CH₂ double Me COOH Me Me II.29 CHOH C═O CH₂ double Me CH₂OH Me Me II.30 CHOH C═O CH₂ double Me CH₂OAc Me Me II.31 CHOH C═O CH₂ double Me COOMe Me Me II.32 CHOH C═O CH₂ double Me COOCH₂OCOMe Me Me II.33 CHOAc C═O CH₂ double Me CH₂OH Me Me II.34 A C═O CH₂ double Me COOMe Me Me II.35 B C═O CH₂ double Me COOMe Me Me II.36 CHOAc C═O C═O double Me CH₂OH Me Me II.37 CHOH C═O C═O double Me COOCH₂OCOMe Me Me II.38 CHOH C═O C═O double Me COOCH₂OCOBu^(t) Me Me II.39 A C═O C═O double Me COOMe Me Me II.40 B C═O C═O double Me COOMe Me Me II.41 A C═O CH₂ double Me COOH Me Me II.42 B C═O CH₂ double Me COOH Me Me II.43 A CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOH CH₂ Me II.44 B CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOH CH₂ Me II.45 A CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOMe CH₂ Me II.46 B CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOMe CH₂ Me II.47 A CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOCH₂OCOMe CH₂ Me II.48 B CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOCH₂OCOMe CH₂ Me II.49 CHOAc CH₂ CH₂ single Me CH₂OTs CH₂ Me II.50 A CH₂ CH₂ single Me HA CH₂ Me II.51 B CH₂ CH₂ single Me HB CH₂ Me II.52 CHOAc CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOCOMe CH₂ COH II.53 CHOAc CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOCOMe CH₂ Me II.54 CHOAc C═O CH₂ double Me COF Me Me II.55 CHOAc CH₂ CH₂ single Me COF CH₂ Me II.56 CHOAc CH₂ CH₂ single Me COF CH₂ COH II.57 C═O CH₂ CH₂ single Me COF CH₂ Me II.58 CHOAc CH₂ CH₂ single Me COF Me Me


6. Use according to any preceding claim wherein said compound is selected from the following:


7. Use of a compound according to any one of claims 1 to 5 for treating a proliferative disorder.
 8. Use of a compound of formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in the preparation of medicament for use in the treatment of a proliferative disorder.
 9. A compound of structural formula Ia, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof,

wherein: X¹ is CHOC(O)OR¹¹, CHOC(O)OR^(1a), CHOC(O)OR¹², or CHOCOY-Hal X is CH₂, CH-Hal, C═O, CHOR^(1b), CHOCOR^(1b), CHOC(O)OR¹¹ X⁵ is CH₂, CH-Hal, C═O, CHOR^(1b), CHOCOR^(1b), CHOC(O)OR¹¹ R¹⁻⁵ are H or lower alkyl R⁷ is COHal, C(O)OC(O)R^(1c), COOYOCOR^(1c), CH₂OC(O)OR¹¹ R⁹ is R^(1d), OR^(1d), CH₂-Hal, CH₂OR^(1d), CH₂OC(O)OR¹¹, ═CHR^(1d) R¹⁰ is R^(1e), CH═NOR^(1c), CN, COOR^(1c), COR^(1c), CH₂-Hal, CH₂OR^(1e), CH₂OCOR^(1e), CH₂OC(O)OR¹¹, CH₂OSO₂CH₃, CH₂OSO₂C6H₄CH₃ R¹¹ is an OH-substituted alkyl group, an ether group or a cyclic ether; R¹² is lower alkyl substitued by Hal “b” is a double bond or a single bond and wherein Y═(CH₂)n n=0 to 5 R^(1a-1e) are the same or different groups of R¹ Hal is Cl, Br, I, F.
 10. A compound according to claim 9 wherein X¹ is C═O, CHOR^(1a), CHOCOR^(1a), CHOCOY-Hal, CHOCOOR¹¹; X⁴ is C═O, CH₂; X⁵ is C═O, CH₂, CHOCOR^(1b); R⁷ is COOR^(1c), CH₂OR^(1c), CH₂OCOR^(1c), COOYOCOR^(1c), CH₂OSO₂C₆H₄CH₃, COHal, COOCOR^(1c), CH₂OCOOR¹¹; R⁹ is R^(1d), ═CHR^(1d), CH₂OR^(1d), OR^(1d); R¹⁰ is R^(1e), CN, COOR^(1e), CH₂OR^(1e), COR^(1e).
 11. A compound according to claim 9 or claim 10 wherein R¹¹ is a diol, triol or polyol.
 12. A compound according to any one of claims 9 to 11 wherein R¹, R³⁻⁵ are methyl, R² is H or methyl, and R¹ is defined as below for the relevant group R^(1a-e); when X¹ is: —CHOR^(1a), R^(1a) is H; —CHCOY-Hal, Y is CH₂ and Hal is Cl; —CHOCOR^(1a), R^(1a) is methyl; —CHOCOOR¹¹, R¹¹ is glyceryl, 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl or pentaerythrityl; when X⁵ is CHOCOR^(1b), R^(1b) is methyl; when R⁷ is: —COOR^(1c), R^(1c) is H or methyl; —COOYOCOR^(1c), Y is CH₂ and R^(1c) is H; —CH₂OR^(1c), R^(1c) is H; —CH₂OCOR^(1c), R^(1c) is methyl; —COOCOR^(1c), R^(1c) is methyl or butyl; —COHal, Hal is Cl; —CH₂OCOOR¹¹, R¹¹ is glyceryl, 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl or pentaerythrityl; when R⁹ is ═CHR^(1d), CH₂OR^(1d) or OR^(1d), R^(1d) is H, and when R⁹ is R^(1d), R^(1d) is methyl; when R¹⁰ is R^(1e), R^(1e) is methyl, and when R¹⁰ is COOR^(1e), COR^(1e) or CH₂OR^(1e), R^(1e) is H.
 13. A compound selected from the following: No. X¹ X⁴ X⁵ b R¹⁻⁵ R⁷ R⁹ R¹⁰ II.1 CHOAc C═O CH₂ double Me COOH Me Me II.4 CHOAc C═O C═O double Me COOMe Me Me II.5 CHOCOCH₂Cl C═O CH₂ double Me CH₂OAc Me Me II.6 CHOCOCH₂Cl C═O C═O double Me CH₂OAc Me Me II.7 CHOH C═O C═O double Me CH₂OAc Me Me II.8 CHOH C═O C═O double Me CH₂OH Me Me II.9 CHOAc C═O CH₂ double Me COOCH₂O—COBu^(t) Me Me II.11 CHOAc C═O C═O double Me COOCH₂OCOBu^(t) Me Me II.12 CHOAc CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOH CH₂ CN II.13 CHOAc CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOH CH₂ COOH II.15 CHOAc CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOH CH₂ CH₂OH II.16 CHOAc C═O CHOAc double Me CH₂OAc Me Me II.17 C═O CH₂ CH₂ single Me, CH₂OAc Me Me (R²:H) II.18 CHOAc CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOH CH₂ COH II.19 CHOH CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOH (20-R)—OH Me II.20 CHOH CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOH (20-S)—OH Me II.21 CHOH CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOH (20-R)—CH₂OH Me II.22 CHOH CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOH (20-S)—CH₂OH Me II.23 CHOAc C═O C═O double Me COOCH₂OCOMe Me Me II.24 CHOH CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOCH₂OCOBu^(t) CH₂ COH II.25 CHOH CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOCH₂OCOMe CH₂ COH II.26 CHOH C═O C═O double Me COOMe Me Me II.27 CHOH C═O CH₂ double Me COOCH₂OCOBu^(t) Me Me II.30 CHOH C═O CH₂ double Me CH₂OAc Me Me II.31 CHOH C═O CH₂ double Me COOMe Me Me II.32 CHOH C═O CH₂ double Me COOCH₂OCOMe Me Me II.34 A C═O CH₂ double Me COOMe Me Me II.35 B C═O CH₂ double Me COOMe Me Me II.36 CHOAc C═O C═O double Me CH₂OH Me Me II.37 CHOH C═O C═O double Me COOCH₂OCOMe Me Me II.38 CHOH C═O C═O double Me COOCH₂OCOBu^(t) Me Me II.39 A C═O C═O double Me COOMe Me Me II.40 B C═O C═O double Me COOMe Me Me II.41 A C═O CH₂ double Me COOH Me Me II.42 B C═O CH₂ double Me COOH Me Me II.43 A CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOH CH₂ Me II.44 B CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOH CH₂ Me II.45 A CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOMe CH₂ Me II.46 B CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOMe CH₂ Me II.47 A CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOCH₂OCOMe CH₂ Me II.48 B CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOCH₂OCOMe CH₂ Me II.49 CHOAc CH₂ CH₂ single Me CH₂OTs CH₂ Me II.50 A CH₂ CH₂ single Me HA CH₂ Me II.51 B CH₂ CH₂ single Me HB CH₂ Me II.52 CHOAc CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOCOMe CH₂ COH II.53 CHOAc CH₂ CH₂ single Me COOCOMe CH₂ Me II.54 CHOAc C═O CH₂ double Me COF Me Me II.55 CHOAc CH₂ CH₂ single Me COF CH₂ Me II.56 CHOAc CH₂ CH₂ single Me COF CH₂ COH II.57 C═O CH₂ CH₂ single Me COF CH₂ Me II.58 CHOAc CH₂ CH₂ single Me COF Me Me


14. A process for preparing a compound of formula I, as defined in claim 1, wherein X⁴ is C═O and X⁵ is C═O or CH₂,

comprising (i) oxidising a compound of formula Ib to form a compound of formula Ic; and (ii) where R^(1c) is H, esterifying with an appropriate group bearing the desired R^(1c) substituent; and optionally (iii) oxidising the product of step (i) or (ii) to form a compound of formula Id.
 15. A process according to claim 14 wherein the compound of formula Ib is oxidised to Ic by treating with ruthenium tetroxide.
 16. A process according to claims 14 or 15 wherein the compound of formula Ic is oxidised to Id by treating with selenium dioxide.
 17. A process for preparing a compound of formula I as defined in claim 1, wherein X⁴ and X⁵ are CH₂,

comprising oxidising a compound of formula Ie to form a compound of formula If.
 18. A process according to claim 17 wherein the compound of formula Ie is oxidised to If by treating with selenium dioxide.
 19. A process for preparing a compound of formula I, as defined in claim 1, wherein R¹⁻⁵ are methyl,

X⁴ = C═O, X⁵ = CH₂ R⁹ = CH₃, R¹⁰ = CH₃ R⁷ = COOCH₃ b is double bond or X⁴ =C═O, X⁵ = CH₂ R⁹ = CH₃, R¹⁰ = CH₃ R⁷ = COOH b is double bond or X⁴ = C═O, X⁵ = C═O R⁹ = CH₃, R¹⁰ = CH₃ R⁷ = COOCH₃ b is double bond or X⁴ = CH₂, X⁵ = CH₂ R⁹ = ═CH₂, R¹⁰ = CH₃ R⁷ = COOH b is single bond or X⁴ = ═CH₂, X⁵ = CH₂ R⁹ = ═CH₂, R¹⁰ = CH₃ R⁷ = COOCH₃ b is single bond or X⁴ = CH₂, X⁵ = CH₂ R⁹ = ═CH₂, R¹⁰ = CH₃ R⁷ = COOCH₂OCOCH₃ b is single bond or X⁴ = CH₂, X⁵ = CH₂ R⁹ = ═CH₂, R¹⁰ = CH₂ R⁷ = CH₂OH b is single bond

X⁴ = C═O, X⁵ = CH₂ R⁹ = CH₃, R¹⁰ = CH₃ R⁷ = COOCH₃ b is double bond or X⁴ =C═O, X⁵ = CH₂ R⁹ = CH₃, R¹⁰ = CH₃ R⁷ = COOH b is double bond or X⁴ = C═O, X⁵ = C═O R⁹ = CH₃, R¹⁰ = CH₃ R⁷ = COOCH₃ b is double bond or X⁴ = CH₂, X⁵ = CH₂ R⁹ = ═CH₂, R¹⁰ = CH₃ R⁷ = COOH b is single bond or X⁴ = ═CH₂, X⁵ = CH₂ R⁹ = ═CH₂, R¹⁰ = CH₃ R⁷ = COOCH₃ b is single bond or X⁴ = CH₂, X⁵ = CH₂ R⁹ = ═CH₂, R¹⁰ = CH₃ R⁷ = COOCH₂OCOCH₃ b is single bond or X⁴ = CH₂, X⁵ = CH₂ R⁹ = ═CH₂, R¹⁰ = CH₂

b is single bond

X⁴ = C═O, X⁵ = CH₂ R⁹ = CH₃, R¹⁰ = CH₃ R⁷ = COOCH₃ b is double bond or X⁴ =C═O, X⁵ = CH₂ R⁹ = CH₃, R¹⁰ = CH₃ R⁷ = COOH b is double bond or X⁴ = C═O, X⁵ = C═O R⁹ = CH₃, R¹⁰ = CH₃ R⁷ = COOCH₃ b is double bond or X⁴ = CH₂, X⁵ = CH₂ R⁹ = ═CH₂, R¹⁰ = CH₃ R⁷ = COOH b is single bond or X⁴ = ═CH₂, X⁵ = CH₂ R⁹ = ═CH₂, R¹⁰ = CH₃ R⁷ = COOCH₃ b is single bond or X⁴ = CH₂, X⁵ = CH₂ R⁹ = ═CH₂, R¹⁰ = CH₃ R⁷ = COOCH₂OCOCH₃ b is single bond or X⁴ = CH₂, X⁵ = CH₂ R⁹ = ═CH₂, R¹⁰ = CH₂

b is single bond

said process comprising the steps of: (i) reacting a compound of formula Ig with chloroformate of solketal to form a compound of formula Ih; (ii) deprotecting said compound of formula Ih to form a compound of formula Ii.
 20. A process for preparing a compound of formula I, as defined in claim 1, wherein R¹-R⁵ re methyl, X⁵ is CH₂, X¹ is CHOAc or C═O, X⁴ is CH₂ or C═O, R⁹ is ═CH₂ or CH₃, R¹⁰ is CH₃ or COH and R⁷ is COOH or COF,

X¹ = CHOAc, X4 =CH₂ R⁹ = ═CH₂, R¹⁰ = CH₃ b is single bond or X¹ = CHOAc, X⁴ = CH₂ R⁹ = CH₃, R¹⁰ = CH₃ b is single bond or X¹ = C═O, X⁴ = CH₂ R⁹ = ═CH₂, R¹⁰ = CH₃ b is single bond or X¹ = CHOAc, X⁴ = CH₂ R⁹ = ═CH₂, R¹⁰ = COH b is single bond or X¹ = CHOAc, X⁴ = C═O R⁹, R¹⁰ = CH3 b is double bond

X¹ = CHOAc, X4 =CH₂ R⁹ = ═CH₂, R¹⁰ = CH₃ b is single bond or X¹ = CHOAc, X⁴ = CH₂ R⁹ = CH₃, R¹⁰ = CH₃ b is single bond or X¹ = C═O, X⁴ = CH₂ R⁹ = ═CH₂, R¹⁰ = CH₃ b is single bond or X¹ = CHOAc, X⁴ = CH₂ R⁹ = ═CH₂, R¹⁰ = COH b is single bond or X¹ = CHOAc, X⁴ = C═O R⁹, R¹⁰ = CH3 b is double bond

said process comprising reacting a compound of formula of Ij with diethylaminosulphur trifluoride to form a compound of formula Ik. 